Razgriz

Hey y'all,
I'm new here and i didn't really know where to post this, so please, be kind

So i have this idea in mind: buy a cheap, structurally sound FIAT 500 and convert the engine to an electric. I figured it would be an ideal car to d this: lightweight, no funny electrical system (except the lights), no power steering, no climate control ... The original engine itself doesn't produce much power so i thought i'd change it, then i figured i might want to be a little different than most people, who just throw a 126 engine in there ...

So i guess my question is: is it worth it ? how complicated is it to convert a gas to an electric engine ? what should i look out for (for those of you who have already done it) ? How much do you reckon it will cost; is it preferable to put a regular gas engine instead ?

Thanks in advance !

Mike

Deleted your other thread, unnecessary to post two identical threads.

Long story short, anything is possible with enough money. You don't have enoguh money to convert a car to be electric.

There would be a TON of fabrication/engineering work to be done, and the electric motor would have to be custom. I'm not sure batteries of sufficient size are even available, and if they were you wouln't have the engineering capabilities to get more than ~30 miles or so out of it I would imagine. Not to mention the massive amounts of wiring.

It literally would require completely removing the engine, cooling system, everything.

Cost for someone else to do it would probably triple the cost of the car itself.

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S D

The factory produced all electric fiat based on the 500, the 500e, will be available by 2014. I'm waiting to see if the 500e is a hit or a flop - This car could turn out to a big deal for the EV market.

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MetalBeerSolid

Are you talking about the old or new 500?

Anyway, I've seen a Saturn SL converted to electric using an old forklift motor and a few extra batteries. Obviously it wasn't fast and had hardly any range, but it just shows that any project (within reason) is possible if you put your mind to it.

tofunater

Its very possible, but mikes right, it will take a lot of engineering to put together an effective power train. I've done this research before, you'll be lookin at 10k in parts at least. The hardest part will be the planning and fabrication.

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